DRAFT Minutes
COBB AREA COUNCIL
PUBLIC MEETING
Thursday March 21, 2019,
6:00-8:00pm
Little Red Schoolhouse/Cobb Mountain Lions Club
15780 Bottle Rock Rd., Cobb, CA 95426
Draft Agenda
• CALL TO ORDER at 6:01(shut down cell phones; sign in please)
PRESENT: Cindy Leonard, Jessica Pyska, Eliot Hurwitz (Chair), Cathy McCarthy, Gary Prather, Frank Lincoln
22 people in attendance
-Eliot has one line to amend in the minutes from last month:
replace: The company that was saddled with developing this is suggesting that we on Cobb develop our own “Economic Development Strategy” because much of what is in the larger document does not apply to us.
with:
Community Development Services, of Kelseyville, the company that has been tasked with managing the new Countywide Strategy, has suggested that we on Cobb develop our own “Supplement” to the Strategy, to better reflect the unique development challenges the Cobb community is facing.
Approval of Minutes as amended from February 21, 2019 Motion: John, Seconded David.
SHORT ANNOUNCEMENTS:
-Cathy announces second annual disc golf tournament on March 30th at Black Rock golf course.
April 20th Easter Egg hunt sponsored by Lions club to be held at Black Rock
TREASURER’S REPORT Gary states total balance $2,424.43.
PUBLIC and BOARD COMMENT ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS (3 mins./individual)
Short reports from CAC Committees as needed
Update on BOS Hazardous Vegetation Ordinance (Mary Jane Montana, Fire Marshal)
-Initial reading on March 19th, second reading next Tuesday March 26th. It can go into effect 30 days following that. 30 foot setback is listed, 100 foot recommended by CalFire vegetation management on all improved parcels. Sovergn Immunity we do not have the authority to impose authority upon other governmental authority. All parcels will have inspections using (probably) the CalFire LE-100 forms. Over the next 5 weeks we will coordinate with CalFire and other organizations so the work is not duplicated. New technology will be imployed (like the CalFire online program).
There will be details to be worked out as the inspections proceed. The results of the inspections will be given to the owner (and residents if rental). For the first couple of years it will be flexible as we work out the details.
We need programs to help people harden their homes, replacing windows, screening on vents, covers for gutters, etc. We will review this in 6 months and update needed changes.
After reports of the inspections are given, work will need to be done within 30 days. If it is not complete, note will be made. If there is nothing done, one more abatement letter will be give, stating work must be done in 10 days. If still nothing is done, a contractor will be hired to do the work. There is an appeal process where you can go to the board and the board will decide how to proceed.
She spoke to the contractor license board and if no heavy equipment is used, no license is required. Insurance and indemnity will be required.
The database will be most likely accessible by the public and insurance companies.
Initially the hope is that the highest risk properties will be done first, then in six months there will be a hard review.
Is there a way to request areas to be inspected? It is worth emailing to give information about high-risk properties. In particular it is good for organized Fire Safe Councils and Firewise groups to give information on high-risk areas.
The fines are $100 for first, $200 for second, $500 for third. And this can be per day. If it presents a great hazard to the community, then the county will be doing the abatement and then there will be a lien on the property taxes of the owner.
Will the CalTrans 40 foot setbacks be followed? They will be notified, but with sovereign immunity they can’t be made to do the work.
Information will be put on the Cobb Area Council website.
Firewise Community Update: (Cindy)
-Announce Cathy’s group certified- total of 4 in Cobb now
-Continue to collect Homeowner work recording sheets
-May 4th National Wildfire Community Preparedness day $500 grant for clearing (also Win Cary from Wolf Creek in Spring Valley) 5 x $100 grants for printing, supplies
-Wendy’s event (plan for May 4th) (pool as safe area)
-Vestra demo by Ken Kelsen (retired firefighter from Clearlake Riv) They are trying to track 3,000 parcels and it was a logistical nightmare. They are using an outside agency to rate the lots for fire safety. This helps them to know where to concentrate their resources. A big problem is finding people we trust to do the work. They can log the information on the parcel numbers and they know that the work is scheduled for the future. They have a benefit assessment and will be working closely with the county on the abatement process. There is such a dense population that they want to assist the firefighters to make sure that it is easier to protect the community.
There is a biomass plant going in by Scotts Valley Pomo Indians. This will be a private partnership. This will help get rid of the biomass surrounding Clearlake Riviera. It will be another tool in the toolbox when it comes online.
CalFire Grant: Homeowner defensible space reimbursement (Magdalena)
-Cobb Area Community Fuel reduction grant for individual homeowners.
Planning for “Cobb Safe 2019” on April 13 (Cindy)
-RCD will have trees and forester Jim Bridges
-Maybe siren testing?
-free lunch, plan for May 4th lot clearing
-Cobb beautification (Scott Parady, Native plant society, Plant giveaway?)
Wilder Than Wild Film Screening Friday June 14th Soper Reese
-Partner with Sierra Club, NCO, SLFSC, CAC, SSCRA
Supervisor’s Comments
Presentations
Cobb Area Supplement to the Lake County Economic Development Strategy (Jessica)
Eliot, Cathy, John, Frank, Jessica, Jake Strickler, Jeff Lucas all met on Monday to discuss ways to energize the Cobb business community. Jeff Lucas is working to find a way to micro-finance small businesses and businesses that are already here.
-They discussed forming a group to market the resorts, restaurants, wineries, golf courses, pools. Become a hub of marketing by looking at the Kelseyville business association. They decided that perhaps having an event like a Blackberry Festival at the end of the summer with music, cobbler, food, fun. We need to get everyone together and focus on a central hub of information.
Formalize an Ad Hoc committee so that we can work on this process: Cindy motions that we formalize a committee, Jessica seconds that motion. All are in favor of the committee.
Jessica, Eliot, Cathy will be on the committee. The next meeting will be April 8th at 6:00 at Little Red Schoolhouse.
Motion to adjourn Robert, seconded by Magdalena at 7:28